Feel the Summer Vibes with These East River-View Restaurants

Memorial Day has the distinction of being the unofficial kick-off to summer, but the Fourth of July is the season’s central, paramount party. And even if Macy’s fireworks display (finally back over the East River) is the envy of the larger U.S., you don’t need to sweat it with this year’s show in the dust—there’s still plenty of reasons to enjoy some food and drinks while overlooking the skyline and the water. So here’s where to celebrate summer NYC-style, including rooftop soirees at Westlight, Northern Territory and more.

Cecconi’s: Though the Soho House restaurant boasts locations in London, West Hollywood, Miami and Berlin, only the Brooklyn branch will do this summer, thanks to its prime location on Water Street in DUMBO—in full view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the skyline, and of course, the fireworks display over the East River (making a menu of bellinis, spritzes, Venitian cicchetti and Maine Lobster Spaghetti mere extras).

55 Water St, (718) 650-3900

Fornino: Serving as a more casual (i.e., less costly) counterpoint to Cecconi’s, the Brooklyn Bridge outpost of Michael Ayoub’s inventive pizzeria, Fornino, affords the same magnificent views, not to mention an appealing assortment of radicchio and pear salads, roasted beef brisket sandwiches, and mixed wild mushroom, wild
arugula, or soppresata picante-topped pies.

Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, (718) 422-1107

Westlight: When it comes to Brooklyn-based rooftop bars, it’s going to be hard for anyone to top the William Vale’s Westlight. Literally—it looms a whopping 23 stories over the East River (making it ground zero for firework peeping), and the food and drink programs are overseen by Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group, owing to well above-average drunk fare like Fried Filty Green Olives, Duck Carnitas Tacos and Kurobuta Baby Back Ribs.

The Crown and The Heights: Since none of the Talde team’s Brooklyn establishments have the benefit of outdoor space, we wouldn’t blame you for crossing the bridge into Manhattan, and staking claim on an al fresco settee at either one of their new hotel-based roof bars. That would be The Crown—on the 21st floor of Chinatown’s Hotel 50 Bowery, or Arlo Nomad’s The Heights, which adds on an extra 10 stories, and has a ticketed party planned, with unlimited barbecue, beer, frosè and wine.